But for now I used it to get my creative juices flowing and created this card.  Perhaps I need to make a bigger version of the butterflies and frame them?  It would be like a little gift for my walls!  Be sure to stop by Moxie Fab World to see the other projects created from this week’s inspiration.  There are so many beautiful creations!

Card details: Cardstock by PaperTrey Ink, all other supplies by American Crafts

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  Perhaps some of you in the States enjoyed some Super Bowl fun?  We spent the weekend shopping and crafting just as I had hoped!

I am super excited to share my mood board with you all today.  As you might imagine, these last few weeks have been full of change as we transition from Morocco to the US to Denmark.  But it has not just been us that is feeling the change, but our blogs as well.  I was thrilled to join Holly’s Blogging Your Way course and have already found it to be tremendously helpful and insightful.  Oh, and did I mention that another of my blogging hero’s, Leslie, is co-teaching the class?  I have to tell you all that it just doesn’t get much better than this!

As part of our class homework, I made these pages as mood boards.  I really wanted to express what our little cozy place, Traveling Mama, is really all about.  We most certainly talk a great deal about family, paper, and travel, right?

Each of the elements has significance to how I would define Traveling Mama…  such as a style that includes a mix of cottage and modern design.  I also have more tutorials planned for the coming days as we continue to explore the art of creating with paper.

And if you happen to be looking for more decor ideas, stay tuned!  In the coming weeks we will begin to document more of our journey in creating a home overseas over at Traveling Tribe.

Okay, so now it is your turn.  What do you see in the photos that you like?  Tell me how they represent what you have seen here at Traveling Mama or perhaps what you hope to see!  For those of you with a blog do you like this type of exercise?  How would you define your own blog if you were to create a mood board for it?

I have been daydreaming recently about what Hailey and I might make for her upcoming Valentine’s party at school.  I know that it would be so much easier to run out and buy a pack of Hannah Montana cards or even those kind that come with the Blow Pops.  I know that I loved getting those kind when I was a kid, but the truth is that Hailey couldn’t wait to make something with me.

That fact alone motivated me to seek out some inspiration for our little project.

I remembered these beautiful photos from Rebecca Thuss (First seen on Decor8.)  and realized that we could make a project that was both simple and manageable.  While I understand that I need to consider my audience, I think these images are a wonderful springboard of inspiration.

Something like this would be so lovely for her teacher!  Don’t you think?

And these sweet little boxes would be so simple to replicate for a class of twenty.  They would be like little treasure boxes with little candies inside, which I think any eight year old would love!

I think we will spend tomorrow hunting down the rest of our materials and creating together.  I can just hear some of you saying now… it’s just another silly Valentine’s party at school.  What is the big deal?  Well, I may be worse than a child when it comes to these things, but I have missed being able to do these parties with my kids these last three years.  I actually did a Valentine’s party at the kids’ school one year in Morocco. I showed up with about 100 cupcakes, read stories, and explained what our holiday was about.  You can see photos here if you are interested in reading more!

It’s funny but reading that post brought me to tears.  Some days I think that I do not miss Morocco at all.  Life was so hard there at times, but when I look back at all that we did and the friends that we made along the way… well, I get quite emotional.

Before I cry all over my laptop, I’m going to head off for a weekend of crafting and creating.  We have some shopping to do too.  We’ll be sending a crate to Denmark and I have many things to buy in order to fill it.  What about you?  What do you have planned for the weekend?

It started out as a silly joke.  Long before we were married we were sitting around one day trying to come up with the most ridiculous pet names we could think of for each other.  Somehow “Love Muffin” stuck for my Traveling Man and every once in a while I call him that just for old time’s sake.  So, when I saw this set by Lizzie Anne at CHA I could not wait to make my Traveling Man a couple notes to pop into his suitcase.  Do you all do that too?  Do you write love notes to your man (or woman) when he (or she) travels?

I remember my mom doing that very thing when my Dad first started his career as an international pilot.  For all I know the little notes were reminders that when he returned his “Honey Do” list would still be waiting for him.  But I like to think she wrote him sweet little reminders of her affection, so that is what I like to do for my guy.

I’ve hardly been able to focus today because I am so excited about his return.  Thinking back to when we decided to move overseas, I was reminded of another reason I didn’t want him to get an amazing job trotting around the world without me.  No way!  I wanted in on the fun so we decided that whatever position he took it had to include us going as a family.  We’ve never regretted that decision and staying at home this week while he makes preparations for our upcoming move only solidifies my convictions.  They don’t call me Traveling Mama for nothing!

So, I’m off to spend the next few hours restlessly accomplishing nothing while I wait for his arrival…

I hope you enjoy it!  Please feel free to make a project using the tutorial and post it on your blog or flickr account.  Come back here and leave me a link so I can come see!

Supplies used:

Super Sticky Tape or Zip Dry Paper Glue

3 strips of paper 1″x6.5″

3 strips of paper .75″x5.25″

*The paper used in this video is from Scarlet Lime.

Bling by Heidi Swapp or pearls by Prima Marketing

My only issue has been trying to create an organized, usable space while realizing that this is only temporary.  I have tried to make some purchases that I can take with me, such as a paper organizer plus I went to the thrift store to hunt down a few accessories.

My pen holder is simply a peanut can transformed with a strip of adorable paper by American Crafts and a bit if super sticky tape.  The little sage box was a thrift store find.  I had one just like it when I was little so it felt a bit like a piece of my youth had returned to me.  It just so happens to be the perfect size for all my ink squares.

And let’s not forget the gorgeous print by Tollipop.  I have been a huge fan Kirsten’s work for so long and find so much pleasure in glancing up now and then from my work to smile at her lovely print.

What about you?  Do you a creative space?  Do you keep certain things there that inspire you as you create?

I thought it would be nice to get our week started off with a little trip to Copenhagen.  We are traveling vicariously with my Traveling Man who landed there just a few days ago.

Apparently we should pack our warmest coats and boots because, as you can see, it is a winter wonderland!  But do not worry too much about the cold because Traveling Man has set my heart at ease as he described the warm tea lights out in front of every restaurant.  And I am convinced that the children ice skating in the center of the city will be quite heart warming as well.

There are wonderful pastry shops waiting with coffee and other warm delicious goodies to warm the soul as well… just in case you do not want to linger too long outside.

If I were there with my Traveling Man we would stroll around the city, taking photos of everyone bundled up in their fur lined boots and down jackets.  After a while we would slip into a lovely pastry shop and warm ourselves with sweet Danishes (though they are not called that there!) and coffee.  We would hold hands while we watched others hurry by in the cold and we would whisper to one another in hushed tones.  Smiling at him, I would wonder if the cold cheeks I arrived with would hide the blush rising into them now as we dream about the new life we were to make in this wonderful place…

soon.  Very soon, indeed.

What is soft, elegant, sweet, and oh-so-fabulous?  May Arts ribbon, of course!  Their ribbon really is divine and they happen to be the sponsor for this week’s Embellish Magazine challenge.  I was ready to do a little happy dance when I saw May Arts and turquoise in the color lineup… because we all know about my turquoise obsession!

It was fun playing with the added bonus of brown and pink.  For my card I went for a very delicate use of the colors and ribbon.  I made the flower using strips of paper.  I hope to have a tutorial for you next week so be sure to check back!  In order to play along with the challenge go to Embellish Magazine for all the details!

Card details: Cardstock: PaperTrey Ink, Patterned Paper: Crate Paper, Pearls: Prima Marketing, Ribbon: May Arts (337-19)

Though we may not be standing under the Eiffel Tower eating ridiculously overpriced crepes (which would be worth every single penny!) but we are looking forward to spending the morning out shopping together before my Traveling Man jet sets off to Copenhagen for a business trip.

I have issued strict orders that he must come home with lots of photos and a couple boxes of those amazing chocolate covered marshmallow fluffy things we ate on our last trip.  It’s going to be so hard to be without him for a whole week, but it will just make his return even sweeter!

What do you have planned for the day?  Anything fun and exciting for this Thursday in January?

PS I love that Hailey, our eight year old took this photo!  I do not think it looks like a child took it.  What do you all think?